sandestin playground=toxic waste dump?

[raven]

let's not let this issue die. whether at sandestin or van butler, let's make sure that the rubber tire mulch is removed. i think those of us who understand the scientific research, know that this is not a good thing in the longterm and or the short term.

there's a reason this stuff is only allowed to be used in 5 states. because the rubber/tire industries have pushed it so hard, that includes florida.

we don't need our kids or visitor's kids to be guinea pigs just to make some sales people happy? especially wiht a material that could damage their health and the health of families and our environment for generations.

what do you say? i can't get sandestin to listen, but maybe we can start with van butler?

 

[raven]

Park surfaces made of recycled rubber ignite a heated debate
But officials and parents are questioning the flammability of the rubber and whether some rubberized landscapes, especially in the summer sun, are simply too hot to handle for young children.
"When we had one fire last year, we thought it was an isolated incident. Then we had another fire last month, and we're starting to wonder if there's a problem. We've covered more than half our parks with it," said Al MacDonald, superintendent of public property for Linden.
The rubber surfaces are recommended by physicians, private groups such as the National Program for Playground Safety and, of course, the rubber industry. But flammability was one of the main "disadvantages" cited by an otherwise laudatory report on rubberized landscapes issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in 1997.
"Rubberized mulch is something you definitely do not want to use anywhere you have the potential of fire as an issue, because, once the fire gets started, it's almost impossible to put out," said Linda Chalker-Scott, an extension horticulturist and associate professor of the Puyallup Research and Extension Center at Washington State University.
She cited the Ohio study in a September 2005 paper titled "The Myth of Rubberized Landscapes," which cited additional studies lambasting most industry claims that recycled rubber is nontoxic and environmentally sound.
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-7/1186461468171490.xml&coll=1

Video of Texas Playground Bursting into Flames
rains, extreme heat and mulch on playgrounds cause combustion in texas playgrounds.

http://video.aol.com/video/news-texas-playground-catches-fire/1957411

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/5054604.html

 

[Miss Kitty]

....this happened here in our area. Now, all the schools are testing their material!

 

[30A Skunkape]

When I saw the video on the news yesterday, the playground at Sandestin was the first thing that popped in my mind...but the playground on fire had wood chips, not rubber mulch.

 

[raven]

processed wood mulch as used in the texas playground also contains rubber.

 

[scooterbug44]

Why can't they just run trees through chippers (w/out adding) chemicals or use sand?

 

[30A Skunkape]

Why can't they just run trees through chippers (w/out adding) chemicals or use sand?

Termites, rot and cat poop.

 

[scooterbug44]

What's wrong w/ rotten/rotting wood - nice and soft when you fall on it!

Don't get me started on the cat poo issue.................:roll:. Just as I don't think the world is an ashtray, I don't think it's a giant litterbox either.